ADOC, ASiC-E and PDF

PDF/A: the archival PDF for long-term storage

PDF/A helps make sure that a document will look the same in years as it did on the day it was signed.

Updated: 2026-08-20 Query: what is PDF/A archival PDF long term storage

Why an ordinary PDF is not always enough

An ordinary PDF can depend on external fonts, on links, or on how a particular reader interprets it. For archival storage what matters is that the file stands on its own.

PDF/A is a standard in the ISO 19005 family, made for the long-term preservation of electronic documents. Tvarka states publicly that it prepares PDF/A-2b as part of the document signing chain.

Where it helps in Tvarka

PDF/A is particularly useful for contracts, accounting documents, Manager resolutions, powers of attorney, and anything whose authenticity may have to be shown after a long interval.

When Tvarka converts a DOCX or another document to PDF/A in the background, what gets signed is a version that renders the same way every time.

Frequently asked questions

Does PDF/A open in an ordinary PDF reader?

Yes. PDF/A is part of the PDF family, with restrictions meant for archiving.

Does PDF/A change the content of the document?

The aim is not to change content but to prepare a self-contained version that renders predictably. The original can stay in the Tvarka version history.

Is PDF/A the same thing as ADOC?

No. PDF/A is a document format; ADOC is a container that can hold documents, metadata and signatures.

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